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How to Plant a Winter Garden in Tennessee

By Julie Christensen; Updated September 21, 2017

Long, warm falls may tempt Tennessee gardeners to extend the vegetable growing season into winter. Winter vegetable gardening is more challenging than spring gardening for several reasons. Temperatures remain high through much of the fall, making seed germination difficult. Fall signals the dry season for Tennessee gardens, so providing additional water to growing plants is especially important. Additionally, weeds, insects and diseases that weren't present in the spring now have a foothold, requiring extra vigilance. With a little know-how, though, you can grow vegetables through November or December in Tennessee.

Planting the Winter Vegetable Garden

Consult a local extension office for good fall seed varieties. Many varieties that do well in the spring need cool temperatures for seed germination followed by warm temperatures for good growth. Fall weather usually provides the opposite conditions.

Consult a local county extension office to determine the last expected frost in your area. This date varies widely in Tennessee. Northern and high-altitude regions, such as Allardt and Gatlinburg receive frost by mid-September, while Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville don't get frost until late October or November.

Determine when to plant your seeds. Plant warm-season crops, such as beans and tomatoes so they'll mature three weeks before the last expected frost. Plant cool-season vegetables, such as lettuce, spinach and carrots, so they'll mature three weeks after the last expected frost. Inspect the seed packet for estimated time to mature and count back to determine planting time.

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About the Author

Julie Christensen is a food writer, caterer, and mom-chef. She's the creator of MarmaladeMom.org, dedicated to family fun and delicious food, and released a book titled "More Than Pot Roast: Fast, Fresh Slow Cooker Recipes."